Who is Taraji P Henson?
Taraji P Henson is an American actress, singer, and producer. She is best known for her roles as Cookie Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire (2015–2020), for which she won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards, and as Katherine Johnson in the critically acclaimed drama Hidden Figures (2016), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Biography
Taraji Penda Henson, born on September 11, 1970, in Southeast Washington, D.C., is the daughter of Bernice Gordon, a corporate manager, and Boris Lawrence Henson, a janitor and metal fabricator. She credits her maternal grandmother, Patsy Ballard, who accompanied her to the Academy Awards, as a significant influence in her life.
Her first and middle names, Taraji and Penda, are of Swahili origin, meaning “hope” and “love,” respectively. Mitochondrial DNA analysis traces her matrilineal ancestry to the Masa people of Cameroon. Additionally, she has mentioned a connection to North Pole explorer Matthew Henson, stating that he was “the brother of [her] great-great-grandfather.”
Henson graduated from Oxon Hill High School in 1988 and initially enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to study electrical engineering. However, she later transferred to Howard University to pursue a degree in drama. To finance her education, she worked as a secretary at The Pentagon during the day and performed as a singing-dancing waitress on a dinner-cruise ship, the Spirit of Washington, in the evenings.
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Age
Taraji P Henson is currently 53 years old.
Personal Life
Henson has one son, Marcell, from a previous relationship. She is an active supporter of her son and has been open about her struggles with single parenting. She is currently in a relationship with former NFL player Kelvin Hayden.
Net Worth
Taraji P Henson’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million. She is one of the highest-paid actresses on television and has earned a significant amount of money from her film roles, endorsements, and business ventures.
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Career
After graduating from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater, Henson embarked on her acting career, taking on various roles in stage productions and television shows. Her breakthrough came in 2001 with her portrayal of Yvette in the film “Baby Boy.” Her performance caught the attention of critics and industry insiders, setting the stage for her rise to prominence.
Over the next decade, Henson continued to impress with her versatility, starring in films such as “Hustle & Flow,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and “The Karate Kid.” Her portrayal of Tiffany Rubin in the Lifetime television film “Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story” earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, further solidifying her position as a leading actress.
In 2015, Henson landed the role of Cookie Lyon in the Fox drama series “Empire.” Her portrayal of the fierce and unapologetic matriarch of a hip-hop mogul family catapulted her to new heights of fame. Henson’s performance earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards, including a Golden Globe Award and a Critics’ Choice Television Award.
Beyond her acting career, Henson is also a successful producer and entrepreneur. She founded her own production company, TPH Entertainment, and launched a successful hair care line, TPH by Taraji. She is also a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has championed various philanthropic initiatives.
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